The Penn's Grove record., 1887-07-09
Miss Robertson. with her eyes like

"Only four hundred a year."
son." said Julia, SHUT isn't that
great deal2"
mot when you consider the price,
Of houses in general. I'll go back to
morrow and secure it; but mind, it,
a secret. l don't want Charles Il
now that / have taken any trouble
after his hateful words"
81 don't quite believe In secrets be
tween husbands and wives'' said julia
Robertson. "But of course III keeI
your secret"
Mrs. Thomson had retired to bee
when her husband came home. Miss
Robertson, however, vas up to pour
his tea.
"Well, julia" said Mr.. Tbompgon,
triumphantly, 81 have found the very
house we want"
Julia looked up with an almost
scared expression on her face.
"You haven't taken it, Charles2"
"No; but l shall tomorrow"
IL wouldn't do anything without
consulting Bee," pleaded Julia.
81 shall give her n pleasant SURPRISE, ,
said Mr.. Thomson. buttering a muffin.
Remember, Ju, this is between you
and me-"
"Oh, Of course" SAID Julia, begin.
ming to feel a little embarrassed by the
amount Of confidence reposed in her.
Early next morning, Mr.. Thomson
went to the city, and Bee followed IN
the next train, while Miss Robertson
br~eathlessly awaited the crisis.
1--WE shall have to live in two houses,
as sure as the world" said she to her.
self. "What IDIOTS these young peo.
pie arel"
Mrs. Thomson returned home rather
earlier than her sister had expected
her, with a bright, flushed face.
"Wellp" said Julia, breathIessly.
"I've agreed to pay five hundred a
year for it." said Mrs. Thomson.
"Five hundredI'' echoed Miss Rob.
ertson. 81 thought it was only four
hundredl'
"Well, 81 1t was, but there's another
party, it seems, very anxious to secure
the house, and"
sob, n~onsensel'' exclaimed Julia,
"That's only the professional landlady's
ruse."
'Oh, but it's true," persisted Bee.
''for saw his hat on the sideboard and
l caught a glimpse of his legs walking
about i'll the upper story to see if the
paint was in good order on the second
door. So L said I'd give her five
hundred.
but. l really think, Bee darling,
you'd better speak to Charles"
$50 1 WILL" SAID Bee, "this evening.
He will see that his wife is something
more than a dead letter in the family.
But l want you to go and see the
house this afternoon, julia"
"This afternoonl" cried Miss Rob-
ertson. "We've no time"
"Yes, we have" said Beatrix; ''just
exactly time enough, if we hurry down
to the cars, and return in the last
train"
The level rays OF the soft Apri! sun
set were shining into the pretty little
double dra wing-rooms of the house on
Shutter Street, as Bee led her sister ex.
ultingly into it.
'Just look at those marble nantes"
said she, land the pattern of the cor
nices. And the pier glasses and the
gas fixtures go with the house, and"
"Oh; l beg pardon, ma'am, Pm
said An elderly lady, who ad-
vanced, ''I'm sorry to d~isappoint you,
but
Beatrix Thomson looked aghsst.
"You have not let the houseP"
"Yes, ma'am, l have. A poor lone
woman like me has her own interests
to look to; and the gentleman offered
six hundred a year if I'd sign the
papers at once, which" with a redec-
tive look at her handkerchief, 81 did"
Il told you So" SAID Julia, soto
vice.
Mrs. Thomson rose in great lndig-
nation, her voice rising accordingly.
81 really think" said she, ~ should
be justified in placing this matter In
the hands Of the lawyers, and"
why, Bee, my darlingl"
"Charleyl"
The folding doors slid back and Mrs.
Thomson found herself vis-s-vis with
her husband.
''Here's the gent himself" said the
ancient female, who smelled as If she
had stepped out Of a dye tub. (which
he explain"
"You never have taken this house,
almost shrieked Mrs. Thorn
son.
Eyes; l have, my DEAR"
"But / have offered Ave hundred for
It'll"
sand l have signed a three years.
at SIX hundred" said the hus-
band, somewhat sheep!shly:
Miss Robertson burst out laug ing.
49," said she, "y)ur profound SO
crecy has cost you Just two hundred
dollars per annum."
Mrs. Thomson began to cry; the ell
Derby female looked as If she thought
the lease might be vitiated bv this
misunderstanding, Julia's
eyes twinkled roguishly.
Never mind, Bee." said Mr.. Thorn
son, soothingly. ''It's a gem of a
house, anyway, and we'll be as happy
the day is long in 1t. l only wish |
had conGded in you about It,"
"And l wi.wish / hadn't been so OBJ.
and hatefUl,n whimpered Bee.
''Come," SAID Miss Robertson, "let's
make haste. or we shall lose the last